System for steam production for electric power generation

ABSTRACT

A system for steam production for electric power generation may include an electrode boiler. The electrode boiler is configured to provide overheated steam. A steam turbine is coupled to the electrode boiler and is driven by the overheated steam. An electrical generator is coupled to the steam turbine to convert the kinetic energy of the steam turbine to electrical power.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/479,716, filed Apr. 27 2011, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of power generation and, moreparticularly, to using an electrode boiler for a steam generationprocess.

Power generation systems generally include a turbine and a source ofenergy to rotate the turbine and generate electricity. The energy thatis used to rotate the turbine in many of the cases is overheated steam.The efficiency of steam generation is one of the major factors for thecost of power generation.

As can be seen, there is a need for a steam generation method tomaximize the utilization of the available energy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention a system for steam production forelectric power generation comprises an electrode boiler, the electrodeboiler is configured to provide overheated steam, a steam turbine iscoupled to the electrode boiler and is driven by the overheated steam,an electrical generator is coupled to the steam turbine to convert thekinetic energy of the steam turbine to electrical power.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The FIGURE is a schematic view of a power plant using an electrodeboiler for steam generation according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be usedindependently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides asystem for steam production for electric power generation.

Referring now to the FIGURE, a schematic view of a power plant 10 usingan electrode boiler for steam generation is shown according to anembodiment of the present invention. The power plant may include anelectrode boiler to heat incoming water and turn the water intooverheated steam with pressure over 2000 psi. The electrode boiler mayhave a capacity of about 34,000,000 kilowatts (KW) and may produce over110,000 lbs of steam per hour. The electrode boiler may have an energyconversion efficiency over 99%. The electrode boiler may feed thegenerated steam to drive a steam turbine. In some applications, whichrequire less amount of steam, an electric boiler may be used instead ofthe electrode boiler. An electrical generator may be coupled to theturbine to convert the kinetic energy of the steam turbine to electricalpower. Low temperature steam leaving the turbine may be re-circulated toa heat recovery subsystem to heat the incoming water.

The electrode boiler of the disclosed system 10 may be used as a startupauxiliary boiler to provide high quality steam to start the turbines ofa thermo power plant, for example, a nuclear power plant. Alternately,the system 10 may be used where a large amount of steam is needed. Theremay be no carbon emissions from the electrode boiler. The electricgenerator may be connected to a power grid and may feed the grid withelectrical power. Some or all the generated power may be fed back to theelectrode boiler. A computerized control system may supervise allessential aspects of the power plant 10 operation.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

1. A system for steam production for electric power generation,comprising: an electrode boiler, the electrode boiler configured toprovide overheated steam; a steam turbine coupled to the electrodeboiler and adapted to be driven by the overheated steam; and anelectrical generator coupled to the steam turbine to convert the kineticenergy of the steam turbine to electrical power.
 2. The system of claim1, further comprising a heat recovery subsystem adapted to re-circulatelow temperature steam leaving the steam turbine.
 3. The system of claim1, wherein the electrode boiler uses electricity to provide overheatedsteam.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein part of the electric power isfed back to the electrode boiler.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein allthe electric power is fed back to the electrode boiler.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein part the electric power is fed to a power grid.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein all of the electric power is fed to a powergrid.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a computerizedcontrol system, the control system supervises all essential aspects ofthe system operation.